Paradise Lost is one of the most important English epic poems written by John Milton (1608-1674). Paradise Lost has many of the elements that define the ‘epic’ form.
The poem deals with the Biblical story of the Fall of Man: the temptation of Adam and Eve by the fallenangel Satan and their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, also called Paradise.The poem also includes the story of the origin of Satan. Originally called Lucifer, he was an angel in heavenwho led his followers in a war against God, and was ultimately sent with them to hell. Thirst for revenge led Satan to cause man's downfall by turning into a serpent and tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. The poem starts after Satan and the other rebel angels have been defeated and banished to Hell.
Satan organises his followers and he volunteers to poison the Earth andGod's new and most favoured creation, Mankind.
God creates the World, culminating in his creation of Adam and Eve. God gave Adam and Eve totalfreedom and power to rule over all creation, he gave them one explicit command: not to eat from the tree ofthe knowledge of good and evil on penalty of death.
Satan, disguised in the form of a serpent, successfully tempts Eve to eat from the Tree. Adam, learning thatEve has sinned, commits the same sin. He declares to Eve that since she was made from his flesh, they arebound to one another if she dies, he must also die. After eating the fruit, Adam and Eve realize that they have committed a terrible act against God and they arecast out of Eden.